United Kingdom in August 2011

UK Riots

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Introduction

The riots that occurred in the United Kingdom in August 2011 were rather shocking in their nature. The lawless and violent events were shockingly beyond the collective ability of the authorities to anticipate them or even control them after they erupted. These riots were triggered by the issue of police brutality and the killing of Duggan by the police. However, going by the events and the magnitude of the riots, it is evident that the riots underlie deeper and broader social problems in the urban English societies. These events can only be explained through social perspectives.

Social perspectives give insights into the reasons that could be behind the United Kingdom urban riots. They explain that the riots resulted from economic hardships, police brutality and indifferent elites. The riots also raise fundamental questions on the public programs legitimacy, the crisis-prone nature of the economies, as well as the ongoing anger and resentment over injustice and social inequality. While the media and political pronouncements frequently pointed at organized criminality, comprehensive examination of the riots show how policing practices, social inequality, feelings of social injustice and the entrenched consumption orientation have resulted in social danger and violence (Mullik 1966). This is especially in the excluded societies.

In addition, social perspectives of the UK urban riots draw comparisons between the 2011 riots and others that occurred previously. This would guide readers through the why’s’ and the how’s’ as they recollect on the major elements of British blacks’ history. This is especially where they violently clashed, which resulted from the common animosities including political, social and cultural signifiers of race (Gerry 2000). All these events are similar in the lived experience of the race whose effects are impossible to ignore.

In addition, social perspectives allow individuals to get insights into the interpretations or perceptions of riots by the varied groups of people. Perceptions about riots in general are shaped by the ideas that one subscribes to. Conservatives view riots are unjustifiable criminal acts committed by individuals without moral fiber (Robert 1968). Liberals on their part opine that riots are caused by social factors like poor living conditions and unemployment. In addition, the discrimination of certain groups by the society would spark off riots especially when it is coupled by material deprivation. Marxists opine that rioting is a conscious political act that comes as the oppressed react towards the injustices that come with capitalism.

Social perspectives also explain the inter-dependence between the various factors that could have resulted in the urban riots. More often than not, race has been mentioned as having played a monumental role in the chaos. However, it is noteworthy that race is not all about skin color but rather a social division that should be understood alongside other social distinction insignia like class (Ian 2006). Race cannot be detached from other social divisions otherwise its understanding will be rendered impossible. This is because social divisions usually come as a set, in which case it would be imperative that one looks at the social divisions’ antagonistic interdependence (Louis 2011). Race, in the context of the urban riots, is a mirror or an X-ray rather than a veil. It attests bitterly to the deficiency of positive identification, acceptance and tolerance. These values would be essential in cosmopolitan citizenship and multiculturalism, which defies all neo-racist proclivities.

Conclusion

A lot of studies have been done about the urban riots in the United Kingdom in August 2012. These are testament to the shocking nature and magnitude of the violence seen during these events. However, a proper analysis of the riots could only be achieved through the incorporation of social perspectives.

References

Robert H. C, (1968). Urban riots: violence and social change. Columbia: Academy of Political Science, Columbia University

Louis H. M, (2011). Riots and change: a hindsight view of urban disorder in the sixties. New York: Center for Urban Affairs, Northwestern University

Gerry. M, (2000). Class struggle and social welfare. London: RoutledgeMullik. B. N., (1966). Civil disturbances. Government of India Press

Ian. H, (2006). Riot!: civil insurrection from Peterloo to the present day. New York: Pluto